The Leash Belay Technique
Grisha Stewart • Portland, OR (in-person)
If you have plans to train dogs as you grow older, this Learning Lab is perfect for you. It's also suitable if you walk large dogs, have clients with strong and untrained dogs, want the freedom of a long line without the risk of rope burn, or simply desire an additional useful tool to make training more accessible.
Rock climbers who scale peaks are typically attached by a rope to a helper known as the belayer, who catches them in the event of a fall. Surprisingly, this concept can also be applied to walking dogs! The leash belay takes the idea of a belt leash and significantly enhances safety by incorporating a braking system and eliminating the need to be physically tied to the dog.
Grisha Stewart, an author, trainer, aggression specialist (B.A.T), rock climber, and a physics-loving mathematician, has combined her passions to develop a new humane and dog-friendly technique called leash belaying. This technique utilizes a lightweight pulley and brake to facilitate walking dogs that tend to pull. With the leash belay, you can safely walk a dog using just one hand, leaving the other hand free to give out treats.
The leash belay allows you to gently stop dogs and maintain better balance. It's an excellent method for making leash walking more accessible to individuals with reduced grip strength. Furthermore, it offers a great alternative for transitioning clients away from potentially aversive devices such as prong collars or head collars.
During this practical session, Grisha will guide participants through the process of using a leash belay, starting from the beginning until achieving a gentle stop. Twelve spotlight participants will be selected on the fly during the course. Don't miss out on the opportunity to join Grisha for the leash belay!
Energize Your Love for Training, for Teaching Others, and for Learning—Together!